Policy Bylines
War on the Rocks: Submission Guidelines
War on the Rocks accepts external analysis and op-eds on defense and national security, typically 1,000-2,000 words with a two-week response window.
About War on the Rocks
The publication covers defense, national security, and military strategy from the United States. Practitioners write its analysis for other practitioners.
Subject areas
War on the Rocks accepts external contributions on defense and national security. If your piece sits at the edge of those areas, show how it overlaps with coverage the outlet already runs. Editors commission what they can place in an existing coverage line.
Formats
The outlet mostly publishes analysis and op-eds. Match the format to the argument: a single sharp claim fits the shortest format the outlet runs, while a piece that lays out evidence in sequence fits the longer one.
How long
Typical length: 1,000-2,000 words. Editors expect to edit within this range; it is not a hard ceiling. If your draft runs long, cut background before you cut evidence.
Turnaround
Reported response time: about 2 weeks. Contributors report these windows as typical ranges, not guarantees. If the window passes, one short follow-up note is professional. More than one is pushy.
What editors look for
- Lead with the policy or strategy argument in the first two paragraphs, before any operational background.
- Use evidence over adjectives: name the program, the budget line, or the date instead of writing "a dangerous escalation".
- Practitioner voice matters here. Write from what you have done or directly observed, rather than from a survey of the literature.
Where to send it
Submission routes change from time to time, so always start at the outlet's own website. Look for a "Submissions", "Write for us", or "Guidelines" page and follow the current instructions there. Before you draft, read three or four recent pieces in your topic area so your tone, depth, and paragraph style match the house.
Are you an expert in this field?
We are working with the Strategic Insight Institute, an international research institute for technology, economic, and public policy, to recruit contributing experts. Current areas of need include AI governance, cybersecurity, international trade, economic and financial policy, semiconductors and supply chains, and energy and climate policy. Commissioned articles typically pay $500 to $1,000. Send your CV with a short note on your expertise. If your profile matches a current research need, we will contact you about next steps.
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